trillion

noun

tril·​lion ˈtri(l)-yən 

1

: a number equal to 1,000 times one billion see Table of Numbers

2

: an indeterminately large number

a trillion mosquitoes out tonight

trillion adjective

trillionth

ˈtri(l)-yən(t)th 

adjective or noun

Examples of trillion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These measures are projected to increase the federal debt by trillions of dollars over time. — Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026

Composition The human digestive tract contains trillions of microorganisms, the vast majority of which reside in the large intestine. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026

Affordability does not improve when Washington adds trillions to the debt while working families are still getting squeezed. — Terry Collins, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026

Thanks to the rise of this offshore world in recent decades, tens of trillions of dollars have simply disappeared from ledgers around the globe, slipping into a world that is largely untouchable and untraceable. — Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from tri- + -illion (as in million)

First Known Use

1745, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for trillion

• billion
• million
• pillion
• castilian
• civilian
• cotillion
• pavilion
• postilion
• quadrillion
• reptilian
• vermilion
• vermillion

Kids Definition

trillion

noun

tril·​lion ˈtril-yən 

1

: a number equal to 1,000 times one billion see number

2

: a very large number

a trillion mosquitoes out tonight

trillion adjective

trillionth

-yən(t)th 

adjective

trillionth noun